Democracy Wounded

In the not too distant past
many Americans
had comfortable lives,
more than any other people
in history.

There was always a struggle
between haves and have nots,
but enough was shared
that local protests
were the order of the day
rather then revolution.

But the lords of profit
who never have enough
changed our nation,
sending factories abroad
ending the blue collar class
that moderated the rich
by their willingness to fight
for fair treatment.
So our industry
was replaced with technology
and average citizens
could not master the new way
and their confidence dwindled,
they accepted service jobs.

The lords of profit smiled
because they removed resistance
to the new economics,
plenty for the few,
little trickling down
for the needs of many.

Gary Beck spent his life as a theater director/playwright. He has had 21 poetry books, 7 novels, 3 short story collections and 1 book of essays published. Gary’s original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off-Broadway in New York City, where he resides. Read other articles by Gary.